Current Status (13/3/2013)
KiwiSAT. All systems are now fight ready.
Outstanding:
Final integration - All hardware is complete and KiwiSAT is operational. Final integration to launch ready awaits completion of command and control testing.
Launch negotiation - now underway in New Zealand.
Flight Software - Software is developing on three fronts;
- Boot loader/Operating System
Work on the boot loader being carried out by Clayton (ZL3TKA) is now complete and tested. A period of intensive reliability testing has commenced.
Assuming there are no unforeseen snags the two ROM chips containing the code – currently in flash form in sockets on the IHU Main Board - will then be burnt onto non volatile memory IC’s and permanently mounted. At that point a vigorous launch sponsorship campaign in conjunction with pre-flight testing and calibration is planned.
AMSAT-ZL Clean Room
- ADAC Application Software
Whilst not absolutely essential pre-launch, it is considered highly desirable to complete the (non-ADAC) operational software whilst the satellite is in the clean area and a small team have expressed an interest in a coordinated approach to this activity.
AMSAT-ZL volunteer Dr Jon Henderson is providing a very active supervisory role on Massey University Masters student Kirill Makarov for this activity and progress is now excellent in this area. The sponsorship of Kirill by the NZART Radioscience Educational Trust has breathed some extra enthusiasm into this aspect of KiwiSAT and is greatly appreciated. (See ADAC Status section for details) - Ground Station Telemetry Decode Program
Terry (ZL2BAC) took on the development of the ground-station telemetry decode software and great progress is being made. The Telemetry update posted on 21 December provides the basic information on this and Terry is happy to communicate directly with those having particular interest in this aspect. See Telemetry page for more details.
Regulatory requirements - Registration is under action.
The Structure. -
From the bottom of KiwiSAT and working up.
Tray No 1.
Transmitter Tray
The Transmitter tray is completed to Flight Ready status. Now integrated into final assembly. System meets all expectations.
Tray No 2.
Central Power Control
The BCR (Battery Charge Regulator) is completed and integrated into final assembly system. Currently active in controlling power from Solar cell simulators to the fully integrated KiwiSAT unit.
Tray No 3.
System Battery
The battery tray. While this tray is completed and ready for flight. A spare set of batteries are being used during the bench testing in the Clean Room at Albany.
Tray No 4.
IHU
The IHU and RAM disk
The IHU (or Integrated Housekeeping Unit) is the essential central satellite system control computer.
This unit is completed and integrated into the final assembly unit now under software development.
Tray No 5 -The receivers.
Receiver Tray
This completed tray holds the a 70 cm linear transponder receiver and two 70cm FM receivers, one for the FM transponder, the other a telemetry receiver for control and command.
This completed system is integrated into the final assembly unit and running "on-air" using antenna external to the Albany AMSAT-ZL/Massey University Clean Room.
The Attic.
Science Attic
Completed and integrated into the final assembly unit.
Looming Up
Completed Flight Loom
Wiring of the frame, part of the final integration, is now complete with tidy-up work left before being marked off as "flight ready." The assembly is one step away from becoming the fully integrated KiwiSAT.
Ground Testing
Flight-ready Solar Panels
KiwiSAT, in its flight configuration, is in the AMSAT-ZL clean room at Massey University. The clean room, being RF shielded, requires a remote antenna system to allow live testing via the flight mode.
Auckland is reasonably hilly and with the team spread over a wide area, these good antenna are required to guarantee interference free communications.
Solar Panels
Flight-ready Solar Panels
The six flight solar panels are now assembled and tested awaiting final integration. Note the featured picture shows two of the four side panels plus the top and bottom (+Z/-Z) panels, there being the fewest panels on the bottom panel.
AMSAT-ZL Clean Room
KiwiSAT Clean Box!
As the project nears completion, with testing well advanced and the need for the "FlatSAT" configuration having passed, plans are afoot to house the launch ready KiwiSAT in its own Clean Box. This will allow for safe transportation, continued testing and easy demonstration to our vital launch sponsors.
AMSAT-ZL appreciate the professional assistance of the Fan and Filter suppliers.
